Swanton_Bomb

For those of you that need or have had revision surgery, what do you think was the gateway to the weight gain? What do those undergoing WLS really need to be careful about?

You have done so well with your weight loss. What did you do to work on your mental health to improve your health?

I think that kind of cheese would come right back up at that stage (I'm assuming you are on purees) If you are allowed to have ricotta cheese I have seen a recipe for a ricotta bake where you mix ricotta with tomato sauce, maybe that would kill the craving?

My nutritionist said fish was one of the first real foods we could try (salmon, flounder, tilapia, etc.) after about a month, then shrimp. She recommended waiting quite a while for lobster because it can be rubbery, and I would imagine that would be the case for clams, squid, etc. If you are really craving those favors perhaps you can add cerviche seasonings such as cilantro to a fish based broth?

My nutritionist says they are fine, as long as you eat your protein and veggies first and eat them in moderation. If you think they would be a "trigger" food for you then I would stay away from them. I think that's the bigger issue, knowing what triggers you. I am speaking from a pre-surgery perspective though. I am capable of eating carbohydrates and even some sugary foods in moderation but here are certain things (many things actually) that I really can't have in the house. Sometimes it doesn't even make any sense....for example, I can eat a small single ice cream bar without issue. If I have a single bite of an ice cream sandwich however, I will not stop until the box is empty, I feel sick and I hate myself.

This is one of my main motivators to pursue WLS. I remember once getting the inevitable lecture when seeing a doctor about a UTI. He treated it, but wanted to spend quite a long badgering me about my weight. I came back for a followup a week later to get my blood test results, and in that week I had lost 3 lbs... a very good loss for a week I think. He spent at least 10 minutes in the followup badgering me instead of saying, "I'm glad you took my advice, good job on the loss." I didn't see a doctor after that for many years.

Can anyone recommend a trainer in the NYC area that is experienced with working with very obese bariatric patients? I want someone who is not fat phobic, and is comfortable around me, someone who is not judgemental and understands that I have to take it one step at a time because I am so fat and out of shape. I have an elliptical at home and I can only do 12 minutes on it, and I'm ashamed to say that I had to work up to that. When I started I could only do three minutes. Three. My surgeon wants me to start weight training as soon as I am cleared to do so after surgery but I feel like I need a few sessions with a trainer so I can learn to do it safely. I haven't worked out in twenty years. I'm embarrassed to say that, but it is what it is. Things have changed and I don't even know if I could figure out the newer equipment without guidance. Any advice? Thank you.

Thank you for the advice, Kat, that really helps!

Bone broth is great. I've been testing stuff out pre-surgery so I won't be experimenting too much when I am feeling crummy post-op. I tried one of the protein soups (15 grams of protein) but mixing it with 8 oz. of bone broth (10 grams of protein) instead of water. As many total grams of protein as a shake in a slightly smaller portion and it tastes way better than a shake. The only problem is that this is a high salt combo, so depending on your blood pressure it may not be the way to go.

I have gallstones but no symptoms. I have heard of some surgeons removing the gallbaladder at the time of the WLS because gallbladder removal often becomes necessary at a later time. What has been your experience with gallstones?

Thank you for all of your responses. These forums are so helpful and I am learning a lot and I'm starting to think I will be successful. It really helps to see your everyday real menus and macros. Thank you all so much.

Thank you for your responses. This forum is very helpful and I am learning a lot.

I am pre-surgery. I'm thought about the surgery for a decade. Shame and fear got in the way. Finally I realized that being morbidly obese was FAR more dangerous than having the surgery, and I had a better chance of dropping dead over the next few years than I would flatlining on the table. The shame was harder to get over and I am working on that. What helped me the most was saying to myself, "What would you think of someone else who had the surgery?" I wouldn't judge them at all. I am working on trying to be as kind and accepting to myself as I would be to someone else.

It isn't a savory option, but maybe mix 1/2 of a shake with Fairlife milk (high protein) to take down some of the artificial sweetener taste?

I am pre-surgery, but my nutritionist and surgeon said gummies were a definite no-no. They suggested chewable Centrum and Flintstones, believe it or not. A lot of chewables seem trash, not very potent. I am currently taking a fantastic vitamin and I feel great on it, but they are HUGE pills so it will be a very long time before I can take them once I am sleeved. I'm going to try crushing them and seeing if I can choke them down but I doubt it because they practically make me gag now in pill form.

I am pre-surgery. I have tried it before and I can't imagine it would be good after surgery, because it would take steel will to not eat a large meal after not eating anything all day. It sounds like it would be a path to really stretching out your sleeve.

Two more things I can check off my list. I got the abdominal sonogram today and the upper GI series. The sonogram wasn't too awful, but I was very self conscious with my huge stomach all exposed and it was painful when she pressed into my ribs (although I have had WAY worse sonograms, this tech was very good). The Upper GI though, was bad. I almost threw up, especially when I had to drink fast from that big straw while laying on my stomach. I tried so hard but I kept gagging. It was a miracle I didn't throw up. Will I have to do the barium again after surgery? If so, can they give you anti-nausea meds to keep from gagging so badly?

He's a misogynist clown, and he's also simply wrong about your weight training. That doesn't mean that he is a bad surgeon though, it just means he would be a bad personal trainer and an even worse boyfriend. I would just avoid getting into the details of your workouts with him. I noticed am the exact height and weight as you and also pre-surgery. I wish you the best of luck with your surgery!

I would ask your nutritionist for the protein, fat, sugar, calorie and carb limits instead of particular brands so you can look for others. I am pre surgery (and praying that my insurance approves!), so I am testing out shakes to see what I can tolerate. So far Premier Protein has been the one with the least aftertaste. I blend it with ice and decaf espresso powder (trying to wean off caffeine now, since I will have to after surgery for a while). It also has 30 grams of Protein so that means fewer shakes to drink to get the protein in. I tried Muscle Milk and hated it. GNC Lean shake was VILE. I stupidly bought a whole tub of the powder too. I am going to try one scoop instead of two with a cup of high protein Fairlife milk, that will have about the same amount of protein without so much artificial sweetener. I hope that is palatable because 2 scoops with Water is disgusting, like pouring Sweet n' Low onto your tongue. Atkins aren't too bad, but they have a lot less protein than Premier. So far I've tried the chocolate premier, I'm going to try caramel, vanilla and banana next. I really wish they sold them in singles. Also, there are some protein soups you can try, they are also gross but not nearly as gross as artificial sweetener. I tried making one chicken broth flavored whey protein soup and using bone broth instead of water and that really bumped up the protein.

I am pre surgery (and praying that my insurance approves!), so I am testing out shakes to see what I can tolerate. So far Premier Protein has been the one with the least aftertaste. I blend it with ice and decaf espresso powder (trying to wean off caffeine now, since I will have to after surgery for a while). It also has 30 grams of protein so that means fewer shakes to drink to get the protein in. I tried Muscle Milk and hated it. GNC Lean Shake was VILE. I stupidly bought a whole tub of the powder too. I am going to try one scoop instead of two with a cup of high protein Fairlife milk, that will have about the same amount of protein without so much artificial sweetener. I hope that is palatable because 2 scoops with water is disgusting, like pouring Sweet n' Low onto your tongue. Atkins aren't too bad, but they have a lot less protein than Premier. So far I've tried the chocolate premier, I'm going to try caramel, vanilla and banana next. I really wish they sold them in singles.

Can you spice up some of your cream soups with a little ground fennel and some oregano to give it that sausage flavor?

This is what I am really confused about: hunger and gherlin. That is what made the idea of the sleeve seem so attractive, since with the bypass your stomach and fundus remain. It seems like torture to be constantly hungry but have a pouch the size of an egg. A lot of people say though that the absence of hunger is brief. I'm so conflicted and confused. Thank you all for answering my questions that I have been posting recently.

Thank you for the info. So much to think about. Six months seems like an eternity but with so many decisions I guess it's a good thing in a way.

I'm pre-op and trying to prepare by finding a shake I can choke down. So far Premier Protein chocolate mixed with coffee seems best. I tried GNC Lean Shake, and I nearly spit it out. I couldn't get the taste out of my mouth, it was like taking a straight spoonful of Splenda. I was so disappointed, I had been stoked about the Orange Cream flavor and the 9 grams of fiber. Unfortunately I spent 40 bucks on the tub. I'm wondering if I can do it half-and half with unflavored whey so as not to waste it. Any recommendations for shakes that don't have that terrible sucralose/stevia aftertaste, or what I can add to minimize it? Thanks!

I actually really like these. I am pre-op, so I don't know how a sleeve or ouch would handle them, but they were a big part of me losing weight previously on Weight Watchers. Yes, there is a slight whey taste, but what I really taste is the seasoning. They have a very good, light texture. 130 calories, 4 grams of fat, 5 carbs (2 fiber) 1 gram of sugar and 20 grams of protein. I do best bringing snack type food to work like string cheese, fruit, protein bars, etc. and these are a good choice for me. I hope I am able to handle them after the surgery once I get to solids, because I imagine it will be hard to get to 60-80 grams of protein without some sort of supplement, and I would like to minimize shakes because...yuck.